What We're Becoming ..

Hey Followers!

We're just about through with the first 2 weeks since practice started and boy, has it been rough! We have been working extremely hard, every day. There hasn't been a day where I haven't been sore. We have gone hard for 2 hours straight since day 1.

We are becoming a team. In high school, you have one main scorer or one person that goes hard day in and day out, but at Purdue Cal this year we have 14 girls who do that. It's amazing in 3 years, this being the 4th, how much this program has changed. It's nice.

What we're capable this year is incredible. With the improvements over the summer, we should be able to compete for a conference title. We've had our hearts broken in the tournament, hoping to get the title, but we know that feeling now. It isn't a feeling we want to have again. As long as we keep working hard and set our minds right, we'll be successful.

Let's set some goals for this season:

Respect everyone -coaches, teammates, opponents, etc.

TEAMWORK at all times

Positive attitudes, always

Work hard when you're on the court - in everything!

20+ win season

Conference title

Do something great at Nationals.

most importantly,

HAVE FUN ACHIEVING THESE GOALS.

I'm a Survivor!

On Friday Sept. 9, the team took on the challenge of the dunes for our conditioning. We did a few warm-up running exercises in the sand, then made our way up the towering sand dunes. We made three different trips up and down the dunes, stopping for a moment each time to enjoy the scenery (and catch our breath) when we reached the top. On our final trip down, the team joined hands and finished the challenge all together, as a team. It was an extremely tough workout. I believe we got stronger not only physically, but also as a team. We survived the dunes challenge!

After the dunes, the team stopped at Redamaks for some pretty stellar food. During the meal, each player, and Medge too, shared their high and low point of the day. We took a few pictures together and just enjoyed each other's company! It was a great time and a great team bonding experience.

This past week, we finished up our last week of conditioning. Tomorrow, we have our first official practice of the season. I'm really excited to get this year started! Conditioning has been going great. We've had the opportunity to get up and down the court together, and we are already starting to mesh well as a team! We've got high expectations for this season, and tomorrow we begin to work towards achieving all our goals. Let the fun begin!

Brooklyn Short #4

Meet The Family ..

Hey Followers!
We've got a full team this season! We will begin the season with 13 girls on the team. Above is the 2011-12 Purdue University Calumet women's basketball team. We look pretty good, huh!? ;) We have 5 incoming freshmen and 8 returners from last season. We landed 4 guards and a post player this year, who will all enter their first year here at PUC.

I'm not so sure what each individual freshman did in high school, but it's a whole different world here playing college basketball. They are adjusting quite well and it looks as if they'll all be making immediate impact. They have shown great determination and look to be focused for the season, which is what we need.

For the returners, they look just as focused. We have 8 returners, but 7 until Savannah Hauter starts practicing with us due to being on the women's volleyball team. We return 2 All-CCAC picks being me and Tierra Turner, as well as Alex Starr and Brooklyn Short who both will be key players for us this year. Amanda Gaskin is showing leadership qualities during conditioning. She is always one to put everything into what she does on the court. Madi Gervais and Lindsey Whitcomb will be our posts this year, who look strong and have established a nice touch over the summer break.

That's the team in a nutshell! We hope to bring a 20 win season home this year. As we begin our journey, we would love the type of support we recieved last year, if not more. Talk is cheap. It's time to go out and do something this year. A conference championship would be a great start to prove to everyone how hard we really did work. But first, we have a month and a half full of hard and challenging practices to get us there. We're ready.

Until next time ..
#21

"THIS IS IT!"

Hey followers!

Well, yesterday was the first day of my last season here at PUC, and the last time I will EVER have to run a timed mile and do 50 pushups (minimum) for Coach Medge. Kind of sad, yet relieving that it is over with for the rest of the season. Granted we didn't even touch a ball yesterday, it was the first day of conditioning, which is vital as the season rolls around.

The first day was amazing. The team is so determined this year. The incoming freshman are not settling as just freshman. They want success just as bad as the returners. They pushed themselves to the max, which is what needs to happen for us to be successful, as a team. As for the older and experienced girls, they pushed just as much! I don't think coach could of been any more happy with Day 1 results. That says a lot about what everyone did in the offseason ....WORKED HARD.

Realizing I AM a student-athlete I suppose I could chat a little bit about the first week of classes ;) haha. This semester is going to be a challenge. I am taking a load of tough classes, but after I knock this semester out, it'll be smooth sailing in the Spring ..on my way out in May! I am taking a dinner class, where I'm at school for 9 hours and actually serve real guests. It's basically a restaurant ran out of the HTM center. It's pretty neat, but can definitely add a lot of stress. I am also taking Feasibilities, Purchasing, Law, and a leadership class. Not the easiest schedule I've ever had to deal with, but what's the fun if life isn't a challenge?

Next week I will have a lengthy blog telling you a little bit about our team, like last year. Not too much! I'm not sure if rival schools read this or not ;) Can't give away all our secret weapons! Stay tuned and follow us on our journey to success for the 2011-12 season!

Until next time ..

#21

Peaceful Settings ..

Hey followers!

So, as I recently moved back into student housing here at PUC and while working 8 hour shifts at the gym, I noticed the dead times and busy times here. For me, I like to workout when less people are around. Being on campus for the past 3 years, I have made many friendships and have met many friends who like to talk, a lot. haha I like to get in, do what I have to do, and at the pace I want to go at.

Last night I had the most peaceful workout I have ever had here at PUC. I am in my last week of training for my half marathon so my running mileage for the week is at its lowest. I had to run 3 miles last night so I did that on the upstairs track over the gym. After my run, I lifted in the gym while having my iPod headphones in the whole time. It was pretty late so there were not many people in there that could keep me from getting off track with my workout. I got a few pointers from one of the trainers I work with, but that is it.

After my workout, I went into the gym and made 250 shots. Due to having to make 15,000 shots, I have broken down the shots per day needed to make it there. I broke it down to 250 shots made at least 4 days a week. The days that I lift arms I have solely designated form shooting instead of shooting on "The Gun" or "iMake". When I lift arms during my workout, my form and shot always seem off afterwards. Form shooting gets me "back to the basics" and gets me feeling comfortable again with my shot. I have found it to work great for me.

The gym last night was so peaceful. Three-fourths of the lights were off in the gym, all of the bleachers were pushed back, and it was just me, my music, a ball, and a partly lit court. I did my form shooting routine, shot a few roll-out jumpers, and then called it a night -feeling GREAT, motivated, and most of all...focused.

Well followers, I thought I would share my great workout with you all. I can't wait to put this work into games as I approach my last season here. I have had nothing short of an amazing journey each summer I have stayed here. Sadly, this is my last summer at PUC. It was a great one, although I was home for half of it. I have no complaints and I wouldn't trade the opportunities I have been given each summer here for ANYTHING.

Stay tuned as we quickly approach our first day of conditioning!

Until next time ..

#21

Back to Business

Hey Followers!

August is moving right along, which means we will be back at it in no time! Although a couple of the girls are already moved in the dorms, official move-in day for the basketball players is on the 18th. The following day we get the opportunity to meet some of the other students and help them out with the moving process. Classes start up on the 22nd and conditioning starts soon after. It's hard to believe another year is already here, but I'm definitely looking forward to it!

Even though Coach gives us August "off" from open gyms, now is the time we all start to kick it into gear. We have to discipline and motivate ourselves so that when conditioning comes around, we don't have to get into shape, but stay in shape. Each player has to have made 15,000 shots this summer, and we are also going to be tested on our running and push-ups. This is a great way to keep us honest and make sure we have been working at it during the summer.

Although we will miss Jenny and MeMe, we have a great group of freshmen coming in. It's been a lot of fun to get to know the girls and play some basketball with them. We are looking to have a very solid team this year, and I'm very excited about the success that is soon to come our way. Stay tuned as we very shortly begin this journey. Go Peregrines!

Brooklyn Short #4

That's All Folks ..

Hey Followers,

Well, this week is the end of the official summer basketball workout time period. Coach gives us from the first of the month, until we arrive at school (August 22nd), off from summer workouts. We have had a great summer so far and are looking forward to many things to come from this summer.

If you go to our women's basketball website, you will find our 2011-2012 schedule and roster, if you have been anticipating for it to be on there. Looking at the schedule, we are going to have quite the challenge this year. Nothing we can't handle though! The new roster is up and running with our new recruits listed on there too. We are looking forward to the first day of conditioning as well as the first day of official practice! Hopefully you all check out the schedule and attend a few games this year. We are always looking for new faces in the crowd!

This is all I have for now, but I hope that you all continue to follow as the blogs will get better as we start to actually get into season and things are more fun around here! ;)

Until next time ..

#21